India won the third ODI match as well as the series

The first ever India vs Sri Lanka cricket test match was played in year 1982, with minnows traveling to neighbors who were an International team for nearly 30 years already. Interestingly, new test entrants pushed experienced Indians to the edge who managed to save the game with 6 wickets in hand.

Three matches, three wins for India = series sealed. The Sri Lankans weren’t offered any fight against India as they lost yet another series here. First India restricted them to a decent total today and then chased down without any difficulty. Rahane and Dhawan gave a good start and then Rayudu was run out for 35.

Set a target of 243 runs, India coasted to the win in 44.1 overs, winning with 35 balls to spare. Opener Shikhar Dhawan played a stellar knock and forged useful partnerships with Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayadu to lead India to victory.

Skipper Virat Kohli as a caption good contributed with a solid 53. Earlier, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 242 in 48.2 overs despite veteran batsman Mahela Jayawardene scoring a superb century. Pacer Umesh Yadav wrecked Sri Lanka’s top order to help set up India's triumph.

Man of the Match was Mahela Jayawardene. He was a bit disappointed but happy with the performance overall. He was rather surprised to get this award. He added that India put them into early trouble and after that they just were left to do the repair work and hoped that they come back harder and play for pride in the next two games.

It was indeed a proud moment for India but on the other hand quite a big disappointment for Sri Lanka. The bowling seemed almost entirely devoid of menace past the first 10 overs. The fielding was flatter than the pitches they have played on. The batting sometimes seemed panicked and lethargic. A little rust was expected before the series, but was almost as if Sri Lanka put their best cricket in cryogenic freeze when they visit India.

They had never won an ODI bilateral series in the country, nor a Test. Sri Lanka had hoped to earn small victories on this tour, even if an outright series win seemed far from reach, but so far, they have gleaned only broken spirits and bruised egos.

As for India, even with several second-string players, India hardly broke a sweat. Three batsmen collected hundreds, while bowlers like Ishant Sharma and Akshar Patel made a case for World Cup inclusion. The batting, as usual, was rock-solid in India, but the bowlers remained admirably effective as well.

Beyond the World Cup plans, Virat Kohli  also given a glimpse of the kind of captain he might become. Proactive and instinctive, Kohli's gambles did definitely pay off so far, with the batting-order reshuffles yielding good dividends and bowling changes regularly bringing wickets.

Sri Lanka will have to raise their game substantially to test Kohli and his team. India and Sri Lanka play cricket under similar conditions, spinning, slow and in favour of batsmen most of the time.

Posted By: Shreya Saraf, Campus brand ambassador Intern at: http://pickyouropinion.com